Substance and Style

    From our blog

    • Special Announcement

      Hello, all! We’re shifting the focus of our services. To reflect this change, we’re redesigning our site and moving our content. New content, including blog posts, will now be in our newsletter (subscribe here). The newsletter will continue to cover the topics of marketing and design. The entire archive of this blog will remain available…

    • Seven Marketing and Design Trends Coming In 2025

      As we head into fall, it’s time to start planning our marketing efforts for 2025. Here are some of the trends we expect to see. As always, what works for you will depend on your target market, your overall marketing goals and strategies, and your resources. As we head into uncharted technological territory, a good…

    • Choose A Hero Image That Creates The Right First Impression

      A hero image is usually the first thing people see when they visit your website. It’s important that it sets the right tone and makes a good first impression. Ideally, your hero image will be:

    • Protect Your Brand Across All Channels

      To be competitive these days, most businesses must maintain multiple online spaces and communication channels in addition to any physical space they hold. Ideally, a customer should be able to look at your storefront, signage, logo, website, newsletter, brochure, postcard, and email and know that they all came from the same place. Building that kind…

    • Combine Old School and Modern Marketing Techniques For Better Results

      In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, it’s easy to become enamored with the latest tools and trends. As we race to keep up with the competition and adopt every new technology that comes along, we shouldn’t overlook the importance and value of traditional strategies. The smartest way to approach marketing is to leverage both.…

    • Five Content Marketing Mistakes To Avoid

      Content marketing is one of the best ways to build brand awareness, educate customers, create trust, and generate leads. To make the most of your efforts, avoid these five common mistakes:

    • 9 Steps to Better Webinars

      Webinars can be a great tool for building brand recognition and loyalty, pulling customers into a sales funnel, and establishing yourself as an expert. If you want to use webinars to market your business, here are some steps you will want to take:

    • Content Creation: Legal and Ethical Issues

      The internet may seem like the wild west, but it’s not truly without laws. If you’re creating content for your business, you need to be aware of potential legal and ethical issues. While it may seem like “everyone” is saying whatever they feel, using whatever images they want, and neglecting to verify “facts,” you or…

    • Create Better YouTube Thumbnails 

      Thumbnails are the visual equivalent of a copyrighting hook. As the first impression your videos make, they are essential for getting clicks and views. If you want to connect with your audience, you have to attract them first. Here are some tips for making your thumbnails as effective as possible:

    • Improve Your Email Deliverability 

      Email is one of the most effective marketing tools because it allows you to fully control your messaging and build relationships with your audience, all while maintaining a high Return on Investment. High deliverability is essential to your email marketing success, as low deliverability and low open rates can make emails from your address seem…